Part 15 (1/2)
Martini's voice was filled with the same authority I'd heard at the hospital. And everyone, including James, all closed their mouths, nodded, and obviously s.h.i.+fted mental gears.
Lorraine pushed some b.u.t.tons and new data appeared on the screen. I didn't pay much attention to it. Now that I'd spotted him, I watched Malcolm. He was the only one who hadn't really agreed with Martini. Not that I thought he disagreed. But I got the impression that he was hoping to learn something from me that would solve their biggest problem. I just had no idea of what that could be. Because he was also right-my family had been lying to me for years, and I'd bought it, so what the h.e.l.l could I know that would help a different world?
A flowchart appeared onscreen that brought my attention back. It showed the various levels of command in Centaurion Division. There were several versions of this, starting with the year prior to the one when my Cosmic Alternate had joined up. It was the most helpful of the data they'd been shoving at me, because I could see both her progression through the ranks and that of the others in the room. Based on what Richard was saying for these charts, my CA had been a major force in this group. Felt kind of proud. Sure, it wasn't me doing it per se, but clearly I'd represented in this world.
”Show her your Centaurion Files,” Crawford said to Charles when the hierarchy discussion was done. ”She got the Sith reference, she'll get those, too.”
”I will, but I don't have them loaded into Centaurion's systems.” Charles patted my hand. ”I know you'll understand it, Kitty. I just think we need to do what Jeff said-focus on how to fix our political situation. You know the Prime Minister and his wife. What do you think we should do?”
”Saying, 'gosh, I'm so very sorry' and giving someone a little present doesn't work in this world?”
”Kitty,” Amy said, voice sugar sweet, ”I'm so very sorry for the other me. I'd love to take you to lunch and buy you a little present to make up for it. We back to being friends?”
”Wow, you got that out without your voice dripping in sarcasm. I'm impressed. But, yeah, okay, it's at that level? From one bad morning?”
”Kitty flipped off the Prime Minister after insulting the game of cricket-the special game we'd arranged to show how much we love Australia, I might add-for hours, tossed hot coffee on him, and then Jeff dumped hot coffee on him and his wife,” James reiterated. ”Seriously, this was a major screwup.”
”So, I can't like cricket while I'm here, right? Because that would be too much of a switch and everyone would think I'm faking it.”
”Right,” Crawford said.
”Katherine, I'd like you to think of a more personal fix,” Richard said. ”You're frankly the only person who knows what's going on who also has the means to solve this problem in an honest fas.h.i.+on.”
”In other words,” Charles said, ”help us, Obi-Wan Ken.o.bi. You're our only hope.”
”Okay, let me think.” Took a deep breath and tried to let my mind wander. But everyone was staring at me. ”What?”
”Ah, we're used to you talking while you think,” Paul said. Nicely. But still.
”What? Seriously?”
”Yes,” Claudia confirmed. ”All the time. Nonstop, really.”
”I'll be insulted for my Cosmic Alternate later. Look, I became a mother really fast and in my early twenties, and Charlie has the combined brainpower of me and Charles. He was comprehending everything at a very young age. Max is the same, and I have to figure that Jamie is as well, since her first words were late but in perfect, fully formed sentences that made sense. I've learned to keep whatever I'm thinking to myself.”
”Think that will be a problem?” Crawford asked James.
Who shrugged. ”If it all goes well and we can figure out how to get her home safely and quickly, no.”
”Guys, I'm in the room.”
They both grinned at me. ”Go ahead and think, Kitty,” James said. ”We can handle the silence. I think.”
”Ugh. Now I can't think because you're all staring at me. Look, I feel over-briefed and I can guarantee I'm not going to remember everything you've all info dumped onto me. My head still hurts, as does my back and neck. I realize your Kitty heals fast. I don't. I'd love a couple of Advil and a chiropractor, and then to go somewhere sort of normal, relax for like five minutes, and then try to figure out how to save the world and all that c.r.a.p.”
Everyone looked contrite. They all also shot Martini looks that said he should have known this already and done something about it. ”I have my blocks up. High,” he mumbled.
”Oh my G.o.d, you're all blaming Jeff for not knowing I was in pain? I told you all at the hospital that I'd been in a car accident. That no one chose to do the math is not my problem. Where's that doctor guy, t.i.to? Why isn't he in the room?”
No sooner were these words out of my mouth than the conference door opened and t.i.to stuck his head in. ”I was off getting a chiropractor we can trust to both be discreet and help, not hurt,” he said with a grin. ”Jeff, Chuck, I want to get her to medical. Doctor Li is here, and I want to get Kitty taken care of and Doctor Li back to Pueblo Caliente as soon as possible.”
”Where is Pueblo Caliente?” I asked as Martini and Charles stood. They both looked shocked.
Martini helped me up. ”Um, it's where you're from, baby. In Arizona.”
”I'm from Phoenix. So is Charles.”
Jaws dropped. ”Ah, is Phoenix in the middle of the state and the state capital?” Charles asked.
”Yes. Prescott used to be the capital, though, way back when.”
He nodded. ”Phoenix is named Pueblo Caliente in this universe.”
”Oh. Great. I think this means I have Bizarro World Bingo.”
We walked through the rat maze again and headed off to the elevators. Everyone was giving Martini funny looks both while we were waiting for and then in the elevator car and he looked kind of depressed. I didn't get it but decided not to question. Charles seemed incredibly uncomfortable in here, too.
More wandering led us to what appeared to be a huge medical wing. I could understand why the world would believe they'd take the wife of the Vice President here-this looked far more impressive than Walter Reed.
Dr. Li turned out to be a pretty Chinese woman about my age who was waiting for me in another room that resembled a fishbowl. Privacy wasn't an alien thing, apparently. Per t.i.to's introduction, she was a leading pract.i.tioner in all the holistic and natural types of medicines, including chiropractic, acupuncture, and acupressure, along with being an herbalist and holding a PhD in Chinese Medicines from two universities. Wanted to ask her when, if ever, she slept, but I was married to a brilliant man and it wasn't a leap to figure that she was in the same brainy stratosphere.
She was also a great chiropractor and, after X-rays were taken, she adjusted me so that I only sort of ached. Martini was given a bunch of natural meds for me to take to reduce inflammation and get the lovely bruise on my forehead to diminish quickly. Had to hand it to this world-their medicine seemed somewhat advanced compared to what I was used to.
Medical perpetration over, the discussion ensued for where to go next. I wanted to take a nap, and Martini supported that desire. ”And, besides, isn't Jamie going to be worried about why you and I have been gone so long?”
Martini shrugged. ”No. She's used to it. She's at daycare.”
”Excuse me? Are you saying that you have all of one child and you're dumping her off at some daycare every day?”
This ensured that everyone stared at me again. I was really batting a thousand on this particular skill. ”Ah, yes,” Martini said. ”We have active jobs and we're in danger situations all the time. It's safer for Jamie. The daycare is in our Emba.s.sy, and she's there with all the other Emba.s.sy and Alpha Team kids. She loves it.”
I wasn't convinced but decided not to have this argument here, or in front of all of these people. Technically this wasn't my fight anyway.
We went up to a floor that had a lot of cars and a lot of things that looked like the metal detectors in airports-big metal doorways to nowhere. ”These are what stationary gates look like,” Martini said, as he led me to the metal detectors.
We weren't alone-apparently many of the people with us lived at the Emba.s.sy or in the D.C. area and were going back with us, Amy and Christopher included. While all these people were filtering through, Paul pulled me aside.
”Kitty, I know it's been explained that I'm our religious leader. I just wanted you to know that if you need to talk to someone and you don't feel right talking to Chuck or Jeff, I'm here for you. And Richard is, too.”
”Thanks. That's really very nice of you.”
He smiled and shook his head. ”No, it's my job. When our people need support and guidance, the Supreme Pontifex needs to be there for them. Every one of them. Even those who aren't sure they are one of our people yet.”
”That seems like a huge responsibility.”
”It is. But it's worth it. Most of the time.” He looked very sad for a moment.